When we think about the past and present together, we normally use the present perfect.

• I‘ve written to John, so he knows what’s happening now.
• I‘ve made a cake. Would you like some?
• Look! I‘ve bought a new dress.

*Check the complete lessons for each one of these verb tenses.

When we think only about the past, we most often use the simple past.

• My grandfather wrote me a lot of letters. (He’s dead now; I’m not thinking about the present.)
• I made a cake for the children, but they didn’t like it. (I’m not talking about the present.)
• I bought a new dress for the party last Tuesday. (I’m thinking only about last Tuesday.)

EXERCISE 1 Use either the present perfect or the simple past:

1. I ________________ (drink) a beer yesterday.
2. When ________ you __________ (go) to the beach?
3. She ______________ (see) him in 1999.
4. What time __________ they ___________ (leave) this morning?
5. We __________________ (swim) there many times.
6. They _______________ (arrive) 15 minutes ago.
7. He is very tired. He ____________ (not sleep) much.
8. I _____________ (visit) the mountains last summer.
9. ________ you ________ (see) that new movie?

EXERCISE 2 Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.

1. I haven’t read a newspaper last week.
2. Chang lives in Beijing. He has lived there all his life.
3. I don’t know her parents. I have never met them.
4. Have you seen Marta on Saturday?
5. I didn’t never ski in my life.

EXERCISE 3 Read the sentences and questions, and choose the correct answers.

1. Ann has bought a new coat. Has she got the coat now? Yes / Perhaps
2. Grandma came to stay with us. Is grandma with us now? Yes / Probably not
3. I made a cup of tea. Is there tea now? Yes / Probably not
4. Eric has made a cake. Is there a cake now? Yes / Probably not
5. Jane went to France. Is she there now? Yes / Don’t know
6. Alan has gone to Scotland. Is he there now? Yes / Don’t know
7. Pat and Al started a business. Is the business still running? Yes / Don’t know
8. Sue has started guitar lessons. Is she taking lessons now? Yes / Don’t know
9. The cat has run away. Is the cat at home now? No / Don’t know
10. The doctor sent Bill into hospital. Is he there now? Yes / Don’t know
11. Pete lost his glasses. Has he got his glasses now? No / Don’t know
12. Ann has cut all her hair off. Has she got any hair now? No / Don’t know

NOTE: The answers for the exercises will be provided as soon as I finish working on them with all my students.
I do apologize for the inconvenience.